Staff in the European Parliament have backed a campaign by Midland MEPs to end the jaunt between its two headquarters which costs taxpayers £150 million a year.

West Midlands MEP Philip Bradbourn (Con) said it was time for MEPs to settle in one building.

The European Parliament holds most of its sessions in Brussels, but six times a year uproots to Strasbourg for week-long sittings.

The practice has been widely condemned by MEPs from all parties, but France has been keen to continue hosting the Parliament.

The use of two buildings was agreed in treaties signed by EU member states, including Britain.

European Parliament staff have now voted overwhelmingly to stop their regular relocation to Strasbourg.

More than 70 per cent voting in an online poll were in favour of staying in Brussels full time and abandoning the Strasbourg plenary sessions.

Mr Bradbourn said: "It simply cannot be justified that we waste so much time and money moving our entire office more than 200 miles several times a year when we actually have better facilities in Brussels.

"The European Union cannot hope to credibly promote its benefits to business when such laughably unbusinesslike practices still take place within one of its core institutions.

"I welcome this vote and hope that it will cause the powers that be to see sense and ensure that all Parliamentary business takes place in Brussels."

The Strasbourg Parliament was constructed at a cost of £348 million in 1999. It is used only 42 days of every year.

The Grand Duchy of Luxembourg is also fighting to hang on to its share of the European Parliament. The Parliament's administration has its headquarters in the tiny state halfway between Strasbourg and Brussels.